Director Release Engineering
Patterson · Minnesota, United States
Patterson isn't just a place to work, it's a partner that cares about your success.
One of the distinguishing marks of our company is the talented people who embrace the people-first, always advancing, and results-driven culture. Professional growth abounds in this motivating environment. We value the diverse talents and experiences our employees bring to Patterson and believe that they build a stronger and successful organization.
Date Last Edited: 10/16/2026 9:07:10 AM
Job Summary
The Director, Release Engineering is responsible for leading the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of release engineering, DevOps, owning the end-to-end software delivery and release lifecycle. This role is accountable for establishing release, deployment, and quality frameworks that align development, quality assurance, and IT operations teams while ensuring system integrity, availability, and operational performance. This role leads managers and technical teams, shaping functional direction, and balancing speed of delivery with quality, stability, security, and compliance while driving continuous improvement across the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
Essential Functions
- Lead the end-to-end release lifecycle across products and platforms to ensure predictable, high-quality software releases that maintain system stability while minimizing delivery risk and operational disruption
- Establish release management processes, governance, and communication practices that align stakeholder expectations to ensure improve release readiness, transparency, and stakeholder alignment
- Lead the design and adoption of automated deployment, provisioning, configuration management, source code management, and collaboration capabilities that enable scalable and efficient software delivery
- Define and implement quality engineering strategies, standards, automation, and quality metrics that ensure reliable software delivery while increasing test coverage and accelerating feedback cycles.
- Enable faster, data-driven release decisions through effective quality measurement and risk-based quality management practices
- Oversee the development, maintenance, and optimization of testing tools, test plans, test data, and quality assurance practices to improve testing effectiveness and reduce delivery risk
- Drive collaboration among development, quality assurance, infrastructure, and operations teams to strengthen integration, resolve complex delivery challenges, and improve end-to-end release outcomes
- Lead and optimize DevOps platforms, tools, and delivery infrastructure to enable secure, reliable, and efficient software build, release, and deployment processes
- Evaluate, adopt, and optimize emerging technologies, including AI-assisted engineering and testing solutions, to improve software quality, delivery efficiency, and team productivity
- Comply with Company and department policies and standards; performs other duties as assigned
People Management
- Accountable for team staffing and managing direct reports to include development, performance management, goal setting, and other managerial duties
- Ensures direct reports are aware of and follow ethical business practices and Company’s Code of Conduct to maintain a supportive and productive working environment.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 10 years of relevant experience in DevOps, release engineering, software delivery, quality assurance, IT operations, software engineering, or related technology disciplines
- 5 years of progressive leadership or people management experience
Preferred Requirements
- Experience leading enterprise-scale DevOps, release management, or software quality organizations
- Experience implementing CI/CD, automation, cloud-based delivery platforms, and deployment governance frameworks
- Experience leading large cross-functional technology initiatives involving development, quality assurance, infrastructure, and operations teams
Skills and Abilities
- Extensive knowledge of DevOps, release engineering, software development lifecycle, quality assurance, and IT operations practices
- Ability to develop and execute strategic and operational plans that support organizational technology objectives
- Ability to lead managers and technical teams through complex initiatives, competing priorities, and organizational change
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve critical operational and delivery issues
- Knowledge of software testing methodologies, testing tools, deployment automation, source code management, and configuration management practices
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders
- Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences
Physical and Cognitive Demands
- Communicate/Hearing Frequently
- Communicate/Talking Frequently
- Learn New Tasks or Concepts Frequently
- Make Timely Decisions in the Context of a Workflow Frequently
- Complete Tasks Independently Constantly
- Maintain Focus Constantly
- Remember Processes & Procedures Constantly
- Stationary Position (Seated) Constantly
- Vision Constantly
- Hand/Eye Coordination Occasionally
- Bend Rarely
- Complete Tasks in a Noisy Environment Rarely
- Feeling/Grasping/Handling Rarely
- Move/Traverse Rarely
- Repetitive Motions Rarely
Working Environment
- Hazards Occasionally
Environmental Conditions
- Office: This position primarily operates in a professional office environment in which team members occupy desks in assigned areas or at meeting/collaboration spaces within the building. The building's primary work areas consist of desks, chairs, computers, and other office equipment and devices for professional services.
- Remote: This position primarily completes work from a remote setting, most commonly, a home office. This may be referenced as flexible workplace.
Travel Requirements
- This position requires occasional travel (up to 10%)
What's In It For You:
We provide competitive benefits, unique incentive programs and rewards for our eligible employees:
- Full Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits and an integrated Wellness Program
- 401(k) Match Retirement Savings Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Holiday Pay & Floating Holidays
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
- Educational Assistance Program
- Full Paid Parental and Adoption Leave
- LifeWorks (Employee Assistance Program)
- Patterson Perks Program
The potential compensation range for this role is below. The final offer amount could exceed this range, based on various factors such as candidate location (geographical labor market), experience, and skills.
$157,300.00 - $209,833.33
EEO StatementPatterson provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.